Development rooted in democracy and justice, not just economic growth: Planning adviser

Development is not merely an economic pursuit but also a quest for democracy and justice, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said today (7 October).

Speaking at a seminar titled "Apostles of Development: Six Economists and the World They Made" held at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), the adviser referenced Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's ideas on "public reasoning" and human development. 

He emphasised that the ultimate goal of development is to enhance people's living standards, education, health, and social capabilities.

"South Asian thinkers did not confine development to economic growth alone; they viewed it as a process intertwined with society, history, and policy," he said.

"In today's context, economic growth must go hand in hand with an accountable democratic system and a just society. Our aim should be to ensure equitable distribution of political and economic power, safeguard civil rights, and reduce income inequality," Wahiduddin Mahmud added.

Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan, attending as a special guest, noted that although post-independence policies emphasised state control over the economy and private sector, the core challenge of eradicating structural inequality and poverty remains unresolved. 

"True equality and development cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of structural injustice and poverty," he said, urging the next generation to integrate social protection, inclusive growth, and structural transformation in their approach to development.

The seminar began with a presentation highlighting the lives and contributions of six eminent economists. Other distinguished researchers and policymakers also attended the event.